Petr Spielmann:Aleš Hnízdil and his book – subject

The performance of Aleš Hnízdil has been developing towards certain substance elimination, his work emphasizes sustained values, independent on time. A person, currently more as a being than a figure is still in a centre of interest. An existence as a source of energy and a crossing of power curves transmitted by other beings. Hníznil recognizes and emphasizes that the network of relations and energy is independent on the individual perception and on the existence of individual ever. If he is talking about its time independence, he wants to stress lasting values, called dateless, permanently present in the space. It is possible to join them through the consciousness. Time as a space dimension is a factor of continuity of which expression Hnízdil endeavours. Visualization of relations, connections and power curves also means traces security, traces marked by the being. By Hnízdil´s words in one of his latest projects that “the ability of getting into the spirit enables to communicate continuously in the space” he puts the stress on communication as an aspect besides the continuity. A posture has not disappeared completely from his sculptural work, but line as a trace of energetic and communicative signals still playes an important role. In his works, a human being – himself – is a centre of movement and energy source. Nevertheless, this is not a case of individual with its characteristics and feelings, but it is a symbol. Despite this, it is important that the performer plays this role and becomes an actor who is taking the full responsibility. The aim is to fulfil the mission, not to enforce an individual will. This is an ethical message of Hnízdil´s creative ambition.

Drawings that show Hníznil´s energetic lines on a paper have been recently originating. An imaginary space – nothingness in the space that empowers free evolution of energetic spheres and communicative relations is created on the paper by a soft structure. The drawings remain an image, a symbol in the space. Hníznil´s aim is to dislocate the drawings from their absolutely abstract position to real lines of the objects. Areas of Hnízdil´s drawings are rolled and interweaved by material lines – he creates objects existing in the space. He originates a formation limiting materiality of an object and a symbol abstraction. They express objective tension of power scope and do not abandon an individual script. They are objects and drawings and they show advantages of both areas.

An offer from the Dutch printing office Flevodruk to publish a monographic publication summarizing performer´s hitherto work was a challenge for Aleš Hnízdil to make this book as an object, spread drawings into the space, encircling book cover and penetrating by substantial lines. The book would whenever be an object and artistic artifact with a harmonic linking and completion of the publication´s literary contents and its pencil. An important attributes of this publication are the illustration and cover. Utility aspect of the book – as a consumption article, and – unfortunately – absolute consumer aspect are currently prevailing. The reaction at many places are attempts to renew the function of the publication as an art artefact, bibliophile efforts revives. It is essential to take into account also noisy declarations about the book´s end due to the development of electrotechnical media. In my opinion, it is a false prediction. It is possible, that this situation will return this book its role of art artefact, an object where authors from different areas will participate. In this terms, the synthetic efforts that are currently intensified not only in an art area might manifest. Aleš Hnízdil´s publication keeps a step forward. Hnízdil creates a plastic object not denying the book´s function. It is a logical link of Hnízdil´s artistic performance as an object, as a book of innovation.